CAPE TOWN: Two Zimbabwean men were last week arrested in Limpopo Province, South Africa, for smuggling into the neighbouring country, a contraband of export quality cigarettes worthabout R140 000.
William Mawere (19) and Godknows Phedzi (24) tried to evade arrest in Polokwane City when they were involved in a road accident and sped-off when approached by traffic police. They were later cornered by that country’s organised crime police unit, the Hawks, along the R521 road which leads to Dendron.
Hawks spokesperson for Limpopo province Captain Matimba Maluleke said the duo appeared at Polokwane Magistrate Court yesterday where they were denied bail. He said the two were charged for smuggling and will appear again in court on February 8.
“Mawere and Phedzi were arrested after we made a follow up on information about a car which was involved in an accident in Polokwane, but did not stop.
“The vehicle reportedly took the R521 road towards Dendron until it was stopped by a follow up team along the same road.
“Upon searching the car, illicit cigarettes valued at R141 427 were found in the car and both men were arrested,” he said. Capt Maluleke said the contraband and the vehicle they had used in committing the crime had since been confiscated pending further investigations.
